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For Today...
'I cannot tell how He whom angels worship'
Well-crafted hymn, one of those which goes from birth to second coming - set to the beautiful Londonderry Air.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=62wk5KvI7-w - a Songs of Praise recording - lovely, but only the first two verses.www.youtube.com/watch?v=zItma-BlmM8 - Salisbury Cathedral choir, with all four verses.
(29/10/2025)
Recent links
'Father, we love You'
A Trinitarian-type chorus of praise and worship: it's been around a long time, but it's still good to use from time to time. Fun to play, too, with plenty of opportunities to add colour.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltVKW6wXdo - this is a "Thy Name" rather than a "Your Name" recording. ("You" recordings are quite rare on Youtube, for some reason.) The stereo isn't mixed:- the vocal is on one channel and the accompaniment on the other.(28/10/2025)
'The Trumpets Sound'
Great fun, and a great excuse to mix in the steel drum sounds prominently.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izym6R3vlF4 - the original Kendrick recording from Make Way for the Cross(27/10/2025)
'God is Love, let Heaven adore Him'
A fine hymn, full of meaning... which has to be sung to Abbot's Leigh! (So many great 87.87.D tunes, and some people use Hyfrydol for this as well...)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyYWW_P9MH4 - a Songs of Praise recording.(26/10/2025)
'Angel voices ever singing'
A golden oldie I haven't played for a long time. It used to be such a favourite of one minister I've worked with, I wrote an alternative tune, just for variety. (I called it Angel Tuesday. Perhaps I'll record it sometime - perhaps I won't.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOf3ATIJw18 - from the choir of Norwich Cathedral.(25/10/2025)
'As we are gathered'
A golden oldie, but still useful - either near the top of a service, or leading into communion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCdD5Ouq-2Q - an interesting arrangement.(24/10/2025)
'Such Love, pure as the whitest snow'
A Graham Kendrick song, well written as ever, and one which I prefer to take quietly and gently.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XODaTctCjvQ - album recording with the obligatory modulation up a tone for the final verse.(23/10/2025)
'Faithful One, so unchanging'
Well-known and popular chorus.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PjSO5Ihl0M - a long version, but nicely done. Guitar-based.(22/10/2025)
'Here I am, waiting (Come live in me)'
One of the Reuben Morgan songs I like to keep in repertoire. I like straight solo piano for this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNiJZIs_tgk - Hillsong recording.(21/10/2025)
'Beauty for brokenness'
A very direct, wide-ranging, challenging and powerful song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08utbDFP9AE - the 'official' Graham Kendrick rendering, modulation and all, as featured on his website.(20/10/2025)
'I shall praise You O God from my soul'
A Psalm 138 paraphrase by John Bell. Makes a good opener.
www.facebook.com/Tayport-Parish-Church-Fife-493775640806987 (...) - a trio from Tayport Parish Church.(19/10/2025)
'My hope is built on nothing less / Cornerstone'
Successful song which combines large chunks of an old hymn with a new tune and chorus. As with many such songs, the vocal range isn't ideal for congregational singing, but hey, it's great for the band.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLxZEU02uI - a live Hillsong recording.(18/10/2025)
'Sing Praises all you peoples'
Or, Laudate omnes gentes. A Taizé chant of praise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NQsqK_hMkI - in English, with a good range of variation of expression. There are 15 seconds of silence at the start which might have you checking your audio.www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IBCcx77LQ - from Taize, and in Arabic.
(17/10/2025)
'Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (Oakley)'
We used to use this song quite often - it's a good one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY - starts with the end section - nicely understated arangement.(16/10/2025)
'Say the word '
Song of encounter and healing from Stuart Townend. In terms of accompaniment, less is more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ2ccaRCkQ - studio recording.(15/10/2025)
'Turn your eyes upon Jesus'
Useful and pretty timeless worship/prayer 4-liner. (Actually, the chorus from a hymn which fell out of use long before my time.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7r0Br_HNs - Hillsong version.(14/10/2025)
'As the deer pants for the water'
Golden oldies don't come much more golden than this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=peZudXt9faU - languid, flowing arrangement.www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgKv87rAEE0 - an unusual (wedding band) arrangement of this very familiar song (not least for having only two verses).
(13/10/2025)
'Great is Thy Faithfulness'
Early 20th century (and very popular) hymn, that sounds older!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk - a Songs of Praise recording. Very slightly fast, but real congregational singing.(12/10/2025)
'How lovely is your dwelling place'
The Matt Redman version has become my preferred one. From a lead musician's point of view, it works well with a bit of gentle distortion in the bridge passage, either from the Hammond or the electric guitar. Elsewhere, a good sustained electric piano should be in the mix, and it's a good excuse to hang out the tubular bells too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdXmvMTyx0 - a version from the author.(11/10/2025)
'I will offer up my Life'
I prefer this one done fairly simply... an electric piano sound suits it well, played gently for a soft tone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWXWHdgapjI - a Matt Redman album recording.(10/10/2025)
'Father in Heaven how we Love You'
Not the easiest rhythm for a congregation to get hold of, but a good worship song, whether it gets smoothed out or not!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pWINTctJVc - nice rendering, with the obligatory chorus repeat modulation... plus a nice little twist at the end.(09/10/2025)
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